Parents and Caregivers Warned About the Dangers of Baby Hammocks

Advisory
2010-146
August 26, 2010
For immediate release

The issue

Health Canada is again warning parents and caregivers against using hammocks designed for infants and young children due to the potential suffocation hazard posed by these products. The product's inclined sleeping surface increases the risk of infants rolling and becoming wedged in a position where they can no longer breathe.

On August 24, 2010, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with the company MamaLittleHelper announced a voluntary recall of the MamaLittleHelper Hammocks with model numbers 1010, 1020 and BL222. These products were sold online at  www.mamalittlehelper.com from May 2008 through February 2010 for between $100 and $230.

Health Canada is aware that a small quantity of these products has been purchased in Canada and recommends that consumers should not attempt to fix these products and should stop using them immediately.

Who is affected:

Parents and caregivers who use hammocks designed for infants and young children.

What Health Canada is doing:

To date, Health Canada has not received any reports of incidents or injuries in Canada related to these products. Nevertheless, these products should be disassembled and disposed of in such a way that they cannot be used again. Consumers are also encouraged to notify Health Canada should they find these products for sale.

Health Canada recommends that children under six years of age not be placed in any hammock as infants and young children are susceptible to considerable fall, strangulation, and suffocation hazards. For more information, please see Health Canada's Policy Statement for Hammocks Intended To Be Used By Infants And Young Children.

Health Canada reminds parents and caregivers that the safest place for an infant to sleep is alone in a crib. For more information on crib requirements in Canada, as well as the safe use of cribs, see Health Canada's Crib Safety Booklet. For more information on safe sleeping practices for infants, see Health Canada's Consumer Information - Safe Sleep Practices for Infants.

Under Bill C-36, the proposed Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, Health Canada would have new and enhanced powers, including the authority to order mandatory recalls of unsafe consumer products, require suppliers to report any adverse health effects, including serious injuries or illnesses, resulting from the use of their products, and maintain product records for traceability.

Products affected:

All types of hammocks designed for use for infants and young children.

For more information:

Consumers and health professionals wanting more information about this advisory from Health Canada can contact Health Canada's Public Enquiries Line at 613-957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.

Media enquiries related to this Advisory should be directed to Health Canada Media Relations at 613-957-2983.

How to report problems with consumer products:

Health Canada is interested in receiving reports of incidents or injury reports related to consumer products and cosmetics, including those that have been previously recalled (health and safety related complaints). Incidents or injuries may be about the same hazard or may be about a different hazard related to the same product. An incident report form can be accessed on the Health Canada website.

Related Health Canada Web content:

• Safe Sleeping Practices for Infants
  
• Advisory (December 8, 2009) - Health Canada Advises Consumers to Stop Using Amby Baby Motion Beds
• Health Canada's Policy Statement for Hammocks Intended To Be Used By Infants And Young Children

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Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709